A History of Assam c14.40

c14.40

In May, Krishna Nārāyan was induced to march into Gauhāti with his remaining mercenaries, to the number of about four hundred. These were sent off under escort to Rangpur, where they were given their arrears of pay, amounting to nearly six thousand rupees, while Krishna Nārāyan, after taking the customary oath of allegiance, was formally installed as Raja of Darrang. He refunded the amount given to his disbanded clubmen and agreed, though very reluctantly, to pay an annual tribute of fifty-eight thousand rupees in lieu of the feudal obligation to supply soldiers and labourers*; he also agreed that his position was to be that of a landholder and not of a ruling chief, and that the political and administrative control should rest in the Bar Phukan, as it had done in the time of his predecessor. When these arrangements had been completed, he proceeded to Mangaldai and took formal possession of his estate, accompanied by a guard of sepoys, which was furnished to him at his request.†